Armenian-Turkish relations to contribute to economic development of Armenia – Russian expert
16.04.2009,
01:24
Establishment of Armenian-Turkish bilateral relations can contribute to development of the Armenian economy, said Russian political scientist, executive director of the fund “Russian World”, President of the fund “Politics” Vyacheslav Nikonov.
YEREVAN, April 15. /ARKA/. Establishment of Armenian-Turkish bilateral relations can contribute to development of the Armenian economy, said Russian political scientist, executive director of the fund “Russian World”, President of the fund “Politics” Vyacheslav Nikonov.
“Establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations may have a positive influence on Armenia, as Turkey is a strong economic player and Armenian-Turkish bilateral relations may contribute to the development of Armenian economy,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
According to Nikonov Russia is also interested in settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations, as it will give an opportunity for transit through Turkey which is important for Russian business. The president of “Politics” fund noted Turkey has its own stance in many issues, being a member of NATO but defending its national interests.
“These interests may differ from the American ones, namely the stance of America and Turkey differs a lot in Iraq’s issue,” he said.
Nikonov stressed the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations will take a specific time, though there is already some progress in that direction which is supported by Russian and USA.
“A significant number of representatives of the Turkish elite and the Armenian officials are interested in the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations. Of course, all that was destroyed and absent in decades cannot be restored in a second, it will take some time,” he said.
There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey and the state border has been closed since 1993 on Ankara’s initiative.
Turkey has set a number of pre-conditions for improving bilateral relations, namely, Armenia’s abandoning the policy of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire during WWI, when some 1.5mln Armenians were massacred. Besides Turkey has an open pro-Azerbaijani stance in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The progress in Armenian-Turkish relations has started since last September 6, when President of Turkey Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan to be present at a football match between the Armenian and Turkish national teams as part of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.
The visit was named “football diplomacy” and was widely covered by the press. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has recently stated the state border will be open or close to it by the next game between the national teams of Armenia and Turkey in October. –0--
“Establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations may have a positive influence on Armenia, as Turkey is a strong economic player and Armenian-Turkish bilateral relations may contribute to the development of Armenian economy,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
According to Nikonov Russia is also interested in settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations, as it will give an opportunity for transit through Turkey which is important for Russian business. The president of “Politics” fund noted Turkey has its own stance in many issues, being a member of NATO but defending its national interests.
“These interests may differ from the American ones, namely the stance of America and Turkey differs a lot in Iraq’s issue,” he said.
Nikonov stressed the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations will take a specific time, though there is already some progress in that direction which is supported by Russian and USA.
“A significant number of representatives of the Turkish elite and the Armenian officials are interested in the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations. Of course, all that was destroyed and absent in decades cannot be restored in a second, it will take some time,” he said.
There are no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey and the state border has been closed since 1993 on Ankara’s initiative.
Turkey has set a number of pre-conditions for improving bilateral relations, namely, Armenia’s abandoning the policy of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire during WWI, when some 1.5mln Armenians were massacred. Besides Turkey has an open pro-Azerbaijani stance in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The progress in Armenian-Turkish relations has started since last September 6, when President of Turkey Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan to be present at a football match between the Armenian and Turkish national teams as part of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers.
The visit was named “football diplomacy” and was widely covered by the press. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has recently stated the state border will be open or close to it by the next game between the national teams of Armenia and Turkey in October. –0--
